Let summer clothes serve as incentive (Courier and Press Article 4/21/08)
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(You can also read this article on the Courior and Press Website- http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/apr/21/let-summer-clothes-serve-as-incentive/)
It’s that wonderful time of year when we all sit back with a smile at the return of green grass, flowering trees and birds chirping and we seem to have a little more “oomph” in our step. That is, until we start to see the swimsuits, shorts and summer clothing popping up in the stores.
For many, the thought of standing in a bathing suit in front of a full-length mirror sends shivers down the spine.
I always think of springtime as a wake-up call for the healthy mind-set. Like many warm-blooded mammals, you’ve taken comfort behind your big warm sweaters and jackets for the last several months. What you didn’t think about was that by indulging in your favorite cold weather comfort foods, you have stored up some warm layers of your own. Now when you peel away those sweaters — Bam! — you’re waking up on the floor in the dressing room, having fainted at the sight of yourself in a swimsuit.
Good news: It’s early spring and we have a good month before we drag out the swimsuits and tank tops. If you start today — make a plan and stick to it — you can make significant progress by shedding a few pounds, improving your health and feeling a whole lot better as we enter the summer months.
Unfortunately, most of you think that to achieve this, a diet is in your future. Nonsense! I’m going to step on some toes here and say this with my head held high: Dieting is for lazy people who mean well but don’t want to make the effort to learn how to change their unhealthy behaviors.
Until we lose the quick-fix mentality, we will always yo-yo with our weight and have to “diet” every spring for the rest of our lives.
I could list about 100 things you could do to change your lifestyle, eat healthier and burn more calories. What I ask you to do right now is to make this the last spring that you have to be fearful of the smaller-clothing-coverage months ahead.
Do your healthy living homework, educate yourself on what healthy eating really means, and seek out a form of exercise that you enjoy instead of dieting a few pounds away only to gain them back (and then some) next winter.
You have the power to decide, and you have access to a wealth of knowledge via the Internet, magazines, books and local wellness professionals. You have the power to change your mind-set and lifestyle any time you want to. Now all you need to do is take action.
By summer you might just be admiring a healthier, happier and slimmer you in that mirror — one who plans on sticking around for good this time.
If you need help learning what food are healthy and how to make them teasty enough for your whole family to eat then check out… www.grocerytour.com
Best of Health,
Darlene